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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON

QUARTERLY

No. 93



MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL., JULY, 1918



5 CENTS

Entered as second-class matter October 1.3 4904,

the Post Office in

Mountain View, Cal., under the Act of Compress of March 3, 1379

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

STUDIES IN THE

REVELATION

JULY to SEPTEMBER, 1918

SENIOR DIVISION

Every) live, interesting teacher, to do the best and most effective

work, should have, must have the

SABBATH SCHOOL WORKER

lt is published for the teacher.

60c a year. Two or more to one address, each 45c.

Address, Takoma Park, D. C.

it=

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Bible Year

The reading of the Bible through each year has

become a regular feature of Missionary Volunteer

work, and is becoming more and more general among

the older people as well. For the encouragement of

those who are following this plan, the Young

People's Department has prepared assignments, and

a series of notes of a very helpful and interesting

character, which have been published in book form.

The book contains 152 pages, and is bound in cloth,

price 65c.

Senior Standard of Attainment Manual

The Standard of Attainment is a mark of pro-

ficiency in Bible doctrines and denominational his-

tory which our Missionary Volunteers are asked to

reach. This "Manual" by Elder MacGuire presents

the various Bible doctrines in a series of statements

supported by proof texts, and will hereafter form

the basis of the examination questions. It contains

72 pages, and is bound in cloth, price 50c.

Little Stories

The Young People's Department has selected some

of the very choicest stories that have appeared in

Our Little Friend

for several years past, as the

Primary Reading Course book for 1918. These

stories form a volume of 208 pages, attractively

bound in cloth, price 85c. "Uncle Ben's Cloverfield,"

the 1917 Reading Course book and the first in the

Primary Series, ought to be read in connection with

Little Stories.

It contains 295 pages, price $1.00.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA

Studies in the Revelation

SENIOR DIVISION, THIRD QUARTER, 1918

Introductory Note

This remarkable book of prophecy is often called "the

Apocalypse," a word meaning revelation, disclosure, unfold-

ment. As the opening words say, it is a revelation of Jesus

Christ, given Him by God, and transmitted through the angel

to the prophet John.

WRITER:

John the beloved apostle.

TIME:

Probably

D. 96 or 97.

PLACE: The visions were given on the barren, rocky is-

land of Patmos, about fifteen miles in circumference, in the

JEgean Sea, which the Roman empire used as a place of ban-

ishment, and where John had been exiled by the emperor

MODERN PATMOS

4 .

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Domitian "for the word of God," and "the testimony of

Jesus Christ."

The great prophecies of the Old Testament are supple-

mented and illuminated by the Revelation. Here the symbols

of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah live and move

again before our eyes. Here the great typical figures of the

Old Testament find place in greatly enlarged antitypes.

Former prophecies and visions of the sufferings, the tri-

umphs, and the glory of Christ, with the fruitage of all

the seed-sowing of the centuries, are more graphically,

clearly, and gloriously portrayed in the Apocalypse of Jesus

our Lord.

Lesson 1—The Revelation of Jesus Christ

JULY 6, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Rev. 1: 1-8.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Purpose of Revelation. Read "Story

of the Seer of Patmos," pages 28-34 Ques. 1-4

Monday ....John bore witness; blessing upon him

"that readeth."



Ques. 5-9

Tuesday ...Message to church in the gospel age

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Ques. 10-13

Wednesday . Jesus the faithful witness



Ques. 14-16

Thursday ..The grand climax; source of

every

blessing

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Ques.

17-19

Friday



Review the lesson.

Questions

What is the title of the book we are studying?

Rev. 1: 1, first phrase. See Introductory Note.

How did Jesus obtain this revelation? Verse 1,

first clause. Note 1.

For what purpose was the revelation given?

Verse 1, first part. Note 2.

By whom was it conveyed to God's .

servants?

Verse 1, last part.

To what did John bear record, or witness? Verse

2. Note 3.

Upon whom is blessing first pronounced? Verse

3, first clause.

Upon whom is blessing next pronounced? Verse

3, second clause.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

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What essential condition underlies these blessings?

Verse 3. Compare James 1: 22-25.

What incentive is urged? Verse 3, last clause.

Note 4.

10.

To whom is the epistle addressed? Verse 4.

Note 5.

11.

What salutation is given? Verse 4, second clause.

12.

From whom does the grace and peace come?

Verse 4.

13.

From whom does the salutation come? Verse 5,

first part.

14.

What three things are said of Jesus? Verse 5.

15.

What has He done for us? Verse 5, last part, and

verse 6, first part. See 1 Peter 2: 9.

16.

What ascription of praise is offered to Him? Last

clause of verse 5, and verse 6.

17.

To what grand climax does the prophet look for-

ward? Verse 7, first clause.

18.

What is indicated about the nature of that coming?

Verse 7. Note 6.

19.

What does the Giver of the revelation declare

Himself to be? Verse 8.

Notes

God's

general way of revealing His truth is here given:

(1) the eternal Father; (2) our Lord, the Word; (3) His

angel; (4) His servant, the inspired penman or Spirit-filled

teacher; (5) through His people to the world. But not

always thus. God talked to Moses "mouth to mouth." See

Num. 12:8. "His angel" is evidently Gabriel. See Dan.

8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:11, 19.

To reveal, disclose, unroll the vital past, the living

present, the great future, with its fearful trials and perse-

cutions, even then beginning.

It is ever God's purpose that His children, His serv-

ants, should bear witness, or testify in life and word, of the

word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Rotherham's trans-

lation reads: "Who bare witness to the word of God, and

the witness of Jesus Christ,-whatsoever things he saw."

The world should see the power of the Word transmuted into

human character. We are to reveal to it just what Christ

is. Jesus said, "As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even

so have I also sent them." John 17: 18. "Ye are My wit-

nesses." Isa. 43: 10.

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

"The time is at hand." The developments of early

Christianity were already beginning. The power of the

gospel had reached all lands. The incipient stages of the

great apostasy were present. The time was at hand, for

the great revelation was then unfolding. How infinitely more

important it is to us to give heed now, when "the time is at

hand" that the great drama is about to close!

"To the seven churches which are in Asia."

These

seven churches in Asia represent the seven great dominat-

ing conditions in the church during the period between the

two advents. Vincent, in his "Word Studies in the New

Testament," says: "Not all the churches in Asia are meant,

since the list of those addressed in the Apocalypse does not

include Colossi, Miletus, Herapolis,

or Magnesia. The

seven names are chosen to symbolize the whole church. . . .

We have in these seven a representation of the church

universal." In each church, there was that named which

was typical of the conditions of the period it represented.

The second coming of our Lord is not a "secret rap-

ture," but open, glorious, attended by clouds of angels, whom

all the earth will see.

Supplementary

Note how God's servants the angels cooperate with

God's servants among men. No soul can be truly credited

for all of any work done.

What does the last clause of verse 3 mean to us?

Does God always reveal His truth in the same way.?

Lesson 2—The Living One Among

the Churches

JULY 13, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE

Rev. 1: 9

20.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday

....A

prisoner for the word of God and

the testimony of Jesus



Ques. 1, 2

Monday ....A. precious Sabbath experience. Read

"Story of the Seer of Patmos,"

pages 34-38



Ques. 3, 4

Tuesday ...Christ in the midst of the seven can-

dlesticks



Ques. 5-8

Wednesday .The prophet overcome by the glory

of Christ's presence



Ques. 9, 10

Thursday ..A definite command



Que.. 311, 12

Friday ....Review the lesson.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

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Questions

Whom does John declare himself to be? Rev. 1:

9, first part. Note 1.

Where was he when he wrote the book? Why

was he there? Verse 9, last part.

What special experience did he have on a certain

Lord's day? Verse 10, first part. Note 2.

What did he hear in his vision? Verses 10, 11.

As John looked, what did he first see? Verse 12.

Who was in the midst of the candlesticks? Verse

13.

Note 3.

How was He clothed? Verse 13, last part.

What further description is given of Him? Verses

14-16. Note 4.

What was the effect of this glory upon the prophet?

Verse 17, first part.

10.

What assurance was given him? Verses 17, 18.

11.

What three things was John bidden to write?

Verse 19.

12.

What explanation was given of the candlesticks

and the stars? Verse 20.

Notes

1. John does not boast

of the honored position to which

God called him. The presence and the partaking of God's

glory make for humility. He is the Lord's "servant" (verse

1) and our brother and companion. The word "tribulation"

comes from the Latin

tribulum,

a threshing instrument used

to beat out the grain. The Greek word means pressure,

squeezing, affliction, distress. Once John wished an exalted

place in Christ's work. Jesus asked him if he could endure

the baptism. See Mark 10: 35-45; Matt. 20: 20-23. John

was now experiencing the baptism. Tradition tells us that

he was cast into a caldron of boiling oil, out of which God

saved him. Then Satan thought to quench the torch lighted

of God by banishing the prophet to Patmos; but the gloom

of John's captivity was dispelled by the glory of God, and

the rocky, sea-girt island became a gate of Paradise, an au-

dience chamber of heaven. All tribulation is to separate the

chaff from the wheat, a part of life's discipline. In tribu-

lation, but also in the kingdom and patience (steadfastness)

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

of Jesus Christ, our anointed Saviour. "Beloved, now are

we the sons of God." Our Lord is in control. See Rom.

5: 1-5.

We do not need to speculate as to what day of the

week that Lord's day was, if we take for our guide that

word of God for loyalty to which John was banished. The

Spirit of Christ speaking through the prophet calls the

Sabbath "My holy day." Isa. 58: 13. Jesus says, "The Son

of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2: 28. And

the eternal, immutable law of God declares, "The seventh

day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20: 10. That

seventh-day Sabbath immediately precedes the first day of

the week. Mark 16: 1, 2. Therefore, according to the Lord's

word, the Lord's day is identical with the Lord's Sabbath.

The Bible knows no other Sabbath. It is the day designated

of God to honor the Creator and the Redeemer, for creative

power is equally demanded in both. The memorial of crea-

tion became a window of heaven. "In the Spirit" clearly

means, as the context shows, "in vision."

The candlesticks are not themselves light, but recepta-

cles, mediums, by which Christ, the Light of the world, il-

luminates the earth. When He dwells in His church, His

people become the light of the world. Matt. 5: 14; Phil.

2: 15, 16.

The long robe, and the girdle around the breast, indi-

cate royal dignity, the kingly priesthood of Christ. Josephus

tells us that the robes of the high priest were girded at the

breast. See Isa. 11: 5; Eph. 6: 14. "White wool" sym-

bolizes not age or decay, but perfect purity. Dan. 7: 9;

Mark 9: 3. "Eyes as a flame of fire," piercing, penetrating,

discovering iniquity, searching motives, both good and evil.

Rev. 19: 12; Jer. 17: 10. His feet have passed through the

furnace of affliction. "Fine,"—"burnished," "molten" brass,

tested. "As many waters,"—harmony, fullness, majesty,

power. Ezek. 1: 24. "Right hand,"—authority, power, skill.

"Two-edged sword," the Word. Eph. 6: 17; Heb. 4: 12; Rev.

19: 15. The literal "sun shining in strength" will not be

known till the veil of sin is removed. Then the sun will

be seven times stronger than now. Isa. 30: 26. The glory

of the unveiled face of Christ is like a sevenfold sun at mid-

day; no wonder that John fell at His feet as dead.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

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Lesson 3—The Church of the First

Centuries

JULY 20, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Rev. 2: 1-11.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Message to the church of Ephesus.

Rend "Story of the Seer of Pat-

mos? pages 39-48



Ques. 1, 2 •

Monday ....Words of approval and reproval; en-

treaty and warning



Ques. 3, 4

Tuesday



appeal to all; promise to the over-

comer



Ques. ', 6

Wednesday.,31essage to the church in Smyrna;

words of approval and comfort.

Read Id., pages 48-51



goes. 7-11.

Thursday

•a

The overcomer's reward. Read Id.,

pages 51-53



Ques. 12

Friday ...„,„Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Home Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 280-283.

NOTE.—The seven churches cover the entire time between

the first and the second advent of our Lord. Conditions in

the actual church at Ephesus, where Paul labored and tradi-

tion says John lived, were representative of the apostolic

age, say to about 100

A. D.;

Smyrna, the time of the pagan

persecution, to about 312 to 328, the times of the emperor

Constantine, who professed Christianity; Pergamos, the

time of the "conversion" of the empire, to the establishing

of the papacy, in the days of 533 to 538; Thyatira, the time

of papal supremacy, during the long Dark Ages, and to a

limited extent to the end; Sardis, the period following the

papal supremacy, 1798 to 1833; Philadelphia, from the rise

of the advent movement, about 1833 to 1844; and Laodicea,

from the opening of the judgment hour in 1844 to the end.

These conditions do not always begin and end abruptly by

definite dates; they telescope or overlap, one blending into

another.

Questions

EPHESUS

, The word "Ephesus" means "desirable." The church

in this period—in the days of apostolic labor—had en-

joyed the doctrine of Christ in its purity; also the bene-

fits and blessings of the Holy Spirit received.

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

How does our Lord introduce Himself to Ephesus?

Rev. 2: 1.

What words of gracious approval are given?

Verses 2, 3, 6. Note 1.

In what words is the church reproved? Verse 4.

What entreaty and warning follow? Verse 5.

Note 2.

What appeal is made to all? Verse

first part.

What is the promise to the overcomer? Verse 7,

last part.

SMYRNA

"Smyrna" meaning myrrh, sweeter, more fragrant,

by being crushed. The Smyrna period, to about

A. D.

323, covered a time of great persecution.

How does our Lord describe Himself in addressing

the church at Smyrna? Verse 8. Note 3.

What words of approval does He speak? Verse 9.

Note 4.

What words of comfort are spoken? Verse 10,

first part.

10.

What trials did He warn the church would come

upon them? Verse 10, second part. Note 5.

11.

What condition and promise are given? Verse 10,

last part.

12.

What is the promise to the overcomer? Verse 11.

Note 6.

Notes

Very true and loyal was the early church. Devoted

to God and having no fellowship with evil, she suffered trial

for His name's sake, and did not grow weary. Ephesus also

hated the works of the abominable Nicolaitanes, reputed to

have held that the flesh could indulge its passions without

contaminating the soul. They were strong antinomians,

or no-law advocates.

The first love, the warmth of affection experienced

when the Saviour was first received and the hope of the mes-

sage first dawned upon the mind, had faded out somewhat

in process of years, under cares and trials. "Lord, is it I?"

The first love must be renewed by a turning to Jesus for the

forgiveness of all sin, the full surrender of the heart; and

then, constrained by the love of Jesus for others, the new

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

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convert, though perhaps old professor, will have a new ex-

perience to tell, a new song to sing, even praise to God.

Then missionary work of all kinds will not be a duty alone,

but a joy; yet a duty to which the believer must sternly

hold himself against all the tendency of the flesh to become

careless. Just here was the failure of the early church.

He who suffered, died, and rose again comes to en-

courage the suffering ones in Smyrna.

Think of the approval,—"tribulation," "poverty,"

"riches." "Jews" is used in the sense of the true children

of God. See Rom. 2: 28, 29. God knows, as He knows all

the churches. How much better that He know our faithful-

ness in suffering for Him rather than our unfaithfulness in

prosperity!

Fear not though there is suffering even to death. The

"ten days" are ten literal years, 302-312, the bitter trials

under Diocletian, the last great pagan persecution.

The promise fits the trial. Death may await the per-

secuted, but there is life forevermore beyond.

Lesson

4—The

Church of the Middle Ages

JULY 27, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE : Rev. 2: 12-29.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Condition of the church in Perga-

mos; cause of the censure. Read

"Story of the Seer of Patios,"

pages

53-61



Ques. 1-9

Monday ....A warning and a promise



Ques. 4,5

Tuesday ...Message sent to the church of Thya-

tira. Read Id., pages 62-66



Ques. 6-8

Wednesday.Judgments upon the unrepentant;

comfort and exhortation. Read Id.,

pages 66-69



Ques. 9,10

Thursday ..A fitting promise to those who have

suffered; an appeal



Ques. 11,12

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Home Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 280-283.

Questions

PERGAMOS

"Pergamos" is said to mean height, elevation, befit-

ting that splendid city and the condition faced by the

church from the time of the "conversion" of Constantine

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

to near the middle of the early sixth century, when the

papacy rose to supremacy.

How does our Lord introduce Himself to the

church in Pergamos? Rev. 2: 12. Note 1.

What words of approval did He send? Verse 13.

Note 2.

What words of reproof are given? Verses 14, 15.

Note 3.

What solemn warning is given? Verse 16.

What is the promise to the overcomer? Verse 17.

Note 4.

THYA'TIRA

"Thyatira" means "sweet savor of labor," or "sacri-

fice of contrition," appropriately suggesting the torn and

bleeding church of Christ in the dark days of papal rule.

How does our Lord describe Himself in greeting

the church in Thyatira? Verse 18. Note 5.

What does He commend in the church? Verse 19.

What severe reproof is given? Verse 20. Note 6.

What judgment will come upon the unrepentant

Jezebel family? Verses 21-23.

10.

What comfort and exhortation are spoken? Verses

24, 25.

11.

What promises are given to the overcomer? Verses

26-28. Note 7.

12.

What appeal does God make to all? Verse 29.

Note 8.

Notes

The sharp two-edged sword is the word of God in

judgment that cuts out the sin from the heart or destroys the

sinner with the sin. In the Pergamos condition, many in the

church were departing from the word of God to human

doctrines, human philosophy, human tradition. Jesus would

emphasize the one standard of the Word. This lesson is for

all time, and for us.

In Pergamos was a shrine of Esculapius, the symbol

of whom was a living serpent, an object of worship. The

time was a period of rapid development of the papacy. At

the bottom of all this corruption was the devil, of whom the

serpent was the symbol. Antipas was perhaps an unknown

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

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martyr, or a type of a class opposed to the growing assump-

tions of the papacy;

anti,

against;

pas,

father, or pope.

Truly there were faithful ones in Pergamos.

It was "one thing" against the church in Ephesus,

but "a few things" against the church in Pergamos. Ephe-

sus hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes; Pergamos tolerated

them, as she did also those who taught for worldly popularity

and gain, as did Balaam. See Num. 31: 16; 2 Peter 2: 15.

Against the unreal, visible charms and amulets of a

superstitious age, God places the invisible yet real manna,

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,SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

"the corn of heaven," given by miraculous power, the type

of Christ. John 6: 33, 48-51. It is hidden only to unbelief ;

the mystery is unfolded to the child of faith. 1 Tim. 3: 16;

Col. 1: 26, 27. The white stone represents God's choice for

us. It refers to the pebble used in ancient voting,—black,

if against; white, if favorable. Our Lord casts for us a

white stone, upon which is a new name representing charac-

ter.

Jacob

in the victory became

Israel.

Gen. 32: 28. Our

new name will be the sum of all our victorious experiences

in Christ, which we are spelling out day by day under hard

labors and severe trials, often making blunders, yet under

the Master making progress. We see only the little present.

God sees for us the finished name. He spells it out with us,

and hence knows it; but no other earthly being does, be-

cause no other has had the experience. It is the secret be-

tween each overcomer and his Lord.

The feet of burnished brass (see Rev. 1: 15) are evi-

dence that Jesus still walks the fiery furnace of trial with

His loved ones.

Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, the sun-wor-

shiping king of Sidon. Ahab, contrary to God's law, married

this devoted sun worshiper and upholder of licentious wor-

ship. See 1 Kings 16: 30-33; 18: 19, 4, 13. Under the in-

fluence of Jezebel there was utter separation from God.

Jezebel is a fit type of the great apostasy under the papacy,

brooking no opposition, tolerating no dissenting opinions,

persecuting to death those who dare oppose. She seduces

God's people. The word

planan,

translated "seduce," says

Vincent, "never means mere error, as such, but

fundamental

departure from, the truth."

So the papacy has assumed to

change the royal law of God and put man in the place of

Christ.

Power, authority, over the nations is a fitting promise

to those who have suffered under nations that were misled

by papal principles. In God's plan there will be a reversal.

He has shared with His people in their persecutions; they

will share with Him His triumphant glory.

Hear, all hear, what the Spirit saith to the churches.

The eternal principles of God which held in the past will

still hold. The perversion of good which wrought evil in the

past will, if permitted, do it again. Our safety is to hear

His voice, let His blood wash away our sin, and His presence

live in us.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



Lesson-5—The Church of the Last Days

AUGUST 3, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 3.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Sardis reproved for formal profes-

sion. Read "Story of the Seer of

Patmos," pages 70-80



Ques. 1-4

Monday



precious promise and a solemn

warning



Ques. 5, 6

Tuesday ...The church of "brotherly love"; the

open and shut door. Read Id.,

es 81-86



Ques. 7-9

Wednesday.To be kept in the hour of trial and

temptation



Ques. 10, 1.1

Thursday ..Lukewarmness rebuked; tokens of

Christ's love for His church. Read

Id., pages 86-91



Ques. 12-18

Friday ....Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

s for the Rome Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 280-283.

Questions

SARDIS

"Sardis" means "song of joy," or "that which re-

mains." Sardis represents the conditions in the churches

that grew out of the Reformation.

How does our Lord address Himself to Sardis?

Rev, 3: 1, first part. Note 1.

How does He reprove that church? Verse 1, last

part. Note 2.

What exhortation and further reproof does He

give? Verse 2.

What injunction and warning are given? Verse 3.

What words of approval does He speak? Verse 4.

G. What is the promise to the overcomer? Verse 5.

PHILADELPHIA

"Philadelphia" means "brotherly love." It refers to

that condition and people developed out of the great ad-

vent movement in 1833 and onward.

7. How does Jesus reveal Himself to Philadelphia?

Verse 7. Note 3.

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

What approval is given? Verse 8.

What special assurance is given Philadelphia?

Verse 10. Note 4.

10.

What hope and exhortation are given? Verse 11.

11.

What is the promise to the overcomer? Verse 12.

LAODICEA

"Laodicea" signifies a "judging of the people." From

1844 to the close of probation is the hour of God's judg-

ment. After this work of judging the people, the Lord

will come. The message to the world in this judgment

hour is the threefold message of Rev. 14: 6-12, the com-

mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, which has

brought out this Seventh-day Adventist people.

12.

How does our Lord greet Laodicea? Verse 14.

Note 5.

13.

What sad condition is Laodicea warned against?

Verses 15-17. Note 6.

14.

What are those in that condition counseled to do?

Verse 18.

15.

What evidence of His love does He cite? In view

of this, what should those addressed do? Verse 19.

Note 7.

16.

How earnest is He in His love? Verse 20. Note 8.

17.

What promise is given to the overcomer? Verse 21.

18.

To how many are these instructions to all the

churches given? Verse 22.

Notes

"I will put upon you none other burden," was the

promise made at the close of the preceding period of the

church. Rev. 2: 24. For nearly eighteen centuries the church

had felt the hand ofpersecution laid heavily upon her, and

many millions had fallen in death. At the close of the

Thyatira period, the church was never again to pass through

like scenes. This is truly a cause for rejoicing.

The Reformation movement began by lifting up the

Bible as the rule of faith, but soon creeds and customs pre-

vented growth in the advancing light of truth. Those who

have started in reform and then

ceased to grow must

take

fresh hold of principles

already learned and go on to fuller

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



knowledge and experience in the truth. The fatal weakness

in the reformed churches was the tendency to stand still

where the first reformers left them. Growth is the law of

spiritual life. See Prov. 4: 18; John 12: 36.

The key to the application of the prophecy of this

church is found in the introduction. It is the Royal Priest

of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of David (Isa. 22: 22, 23),

beginning the last stage of His priestly work in the sanc-

tuary on high. He is about to cease His ministry in the holy

place; He is about to

enter

the most holy place for the final

putting away of the sins of His people. To those who looked

and longed for His coming and were disappointed, who be-

came the butt and jeer of thousands, the Lord declares, "Be-

hold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can

shut it." And the opened door means the light and truth

of God's last message, explaining the darker past and re-

vealing the entrance to greater truth. Disappointment

dimmed hopes and sapped power; but the faithful Phila-

delphians did not wholly relinquish the hand of power, nor

did they deny Christ.

It will be noted that there is no reproof in the Lord's

letter to Philadelphia, unless it is implied in the "little

strength." The advent spirit is the spirit to continue to the

end. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love." All the story

of the early advent movement, leading up to the autumn of

1844, at which time the advent people expected to meet their

Lord, shows that believers were bound together in ties of

fellowship and love like that which reigns in heaven, which

they expected soon to enter. Coming out from various

churches and the world, they were made one by the "blessed

hope."

"Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above."

Now, with the ministry in the heavenly sanctuary almost

finished and the coining of the Lord at the very door, all

hearts must again let in the love of heaven and the spirit of

1844, which will make the true believers one and fit them

to live with the angels.

It is the Amen, the Firm, the Faithful, the True to

the end, the faithful Witness from the beginning, the Author,

the Beginner of God's creation, that gives the counsel. He is

the Author and Finisher. Heb. 12: 2. He witnessed .true

to Ephesus in the first period; He is the same to Laodicea

in the last.

The True Witness testified to

the blessed condition

of Philadelphia expecting to meet with the Lord. He wit-



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

nesses as truly to the 'deadly peril of drowsiness and formal-

ism in the Laodicean period of waiting. He pleads that in

the hour of the closing judgment work, not a soul may be

lukewarm, assuming riches in the possession of the form of

the truth, while lacking the real experience of the power of

the truth. That is the special peril of the last days. Yet

God loves the souls in this condition. Therefore He rebukes

and chastens them, and calls for repentance. "Repent when

one does not feel like it?"—Yes, repent. Confess all the sin,

plead before God till the hard heart softens, and the stub-

born will breaks, and the soul is no longer indifferent. There

is no other way.

7. The real experience is necessary to the giving of the

message of the Judgment now due. The specific Philadelphia

period of the church brought us to the autumn of 1844, when

the long period of the 2,300 days ended, and the work of the

•

Judgment was opened in the most holy of the heavenly

sanctuary. "I was shown that . . . the time for the com-

mandments of God to shine out with all their importance,

and for. God's people to be tried on the Sabbath truth, was

when the door was opened in the most holy place in the

heavenly sanctuary, where the ark is, in which is contained

the Ten Commandments. This door was not opened until

the mediation of Jesus was finished in the holy place of the

sanctuary in 1844. Then Jesus rose up and shut the door

of the holy place, and opened the door into the most holy,

and passed within the second veil, where He now stands by

the ark, and where the faith of Israel now reaches. I saw

that Jesus had shut the door of the holy place, and no man

can open it; and that He had opened the door into the most

holy, and no man can shut it (Rev. 3: 7, 8) ; and that since

Jesus has opened the door into the most holy place, which

contains the ark, the commandments have been shining out

to God's people, and they are being tested on the Sabbath

question."—"Early

Writings," old edition, pages 34, 35.

8. Open the door; invite the Guest. Let Him make the

room of your heart ready, and cleanse the soul. Spread be-

fore Him all you have, sorrows, temptations, weaknesses,

and let His presence transmute them into joys, faith,

strength, and power in God. Then become His guest. Sit

at His table. Partake of all the delectable things of heaven.

There is no promise in all the Word more precious than that

in Rev. 3: 20. Christ will

give

the needed grace to every

soul that heeds His counsel in this time when the church

must keep ready to meet its coming Lord.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



Lesson

6-Exaltation

of the Lamb

AUGUST 10, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 4; 5.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....A new vision



Ques. 1,2

Monday ....A mighty challenge: the response.

Read "Story of the Seer of Pat-

mos," pages 101-103



Ques. 3-9

Tuesday ...Provision made for opening the book.

Read Id., pages 103-108.



Ques. 7-9

Wednesday.A song of victory



Ques. 10-13

Thursday ..The grand sequel



Ques. 14,15

Friday



Review the lesson.

Questions

What did the prophet first see in the next vision?

Rev. 4: 1. Note 1.

What did he then see? Verses 2-11. Note 2.

What was in the King's right hand? Rev. 5: 1.

What mighty challenge did John hear? Verse 2.

What was the response? Verse 3.

How was John affected by the response? Verse 4.

What encouragement was given him? Verse 5.

As the prophet looked for the Lion, what did he

see? Verse 6. Note 3.

What did the Lamb do? Verse 7.

10.

What followed His taking the book? Verse 8.

11.

What song did the holy ones sing? Verses 9, 10.

12.

What more did John see and hear? Verse 11. See

also Dan. 7: 10; Heb. 12: 22.

13.

What song did the angels sing? Verse 12. Note 4.

14.

What did the prophet hear as to the grand sequel

of the opening of the book? Verse 13. Note 5.

15.

What response was there to this? Verse 14.

Notes

1. "After this" does not mean that what John relates in

chapter 4 came after all the events of the seven churches,

but that the view of chapters 4 to 8 was a new vision of other

events. These events cover the same period as the churches.

The door was opened; it had once been closed. It was not a



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

door opening into heaven, but a door in heaven that was

opened. Subsequent revelations show that this was our

Lord's entrance upon His priesthood in the heavenly sanc-

tuary after His ascension. See Heb. 9: 8.

God has a throne as surely as He has a kingdom. He

is a personal God. Although everywhere present by His

Holy Spirit, the great Father is somewhere as He is nowhere

else. See 1 Kings 22: 19; Isa. 6: 1; Dan. 7: 9; Ps. 103: 19.

John looked for the Lion, and found a Lamb in the

midst, that is, within the circle of the rainbow. Not by

force or power or fear did Christ prevail, but by sacrifice

and gentleness. In the Lamb is greater potency than in all

the armies and greatness of the universe. The Lamb was

slain in purpose from the foundation of the world. 1 Peter

1: 19, 20. The climax was reached in the actuality of the

purpose on Calvary. The Lamb takes the book; He is

worthy.

The angels join in the mighty chorus. The rebel

Lucifer was conquered. His power over the closed graves

was broken by the Lamb; and the sevenfold ascription to the

Lamb of "power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and

honor, and glory, and blessing" ascends to the highest

heaven. He is worthy.

The mighty power of God's love eventually reaches

and renews all creation, blots out all sin, and the universe

ascribes to both Father and Son "blessing, and honor, and

glory, and power, . . . forever and ever." "Affliction shall

not rise up the second time." Nahum 1: 9. "There shall be

no more curse."

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



Lesson 7—The Opening of the Seals

AUGUST 17, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6: 1-11.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath —Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday-....Openingof the first and second seals.

Read "Story of the Seer of Pat-

mos,"

pages

109-112



Ques. 1-4

Monday ....Peace taken from the earth; blood-

shed; the third seal. Read Id.,

pages 112-115



Ques. 5-7

Tuesday ...The fourth seal; power of the rider

of the red horse. Read Id., page

116.



Cities. 8-10

Wednesday .The fifth seal; the call of martyrs for

justice



Ques. 11-13

Thursday ..Read Id., pages 117-119.

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Rome Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 284-288.

General

Note.—In the vision of the seven churches, we

studied the spiritual history of the church of Christ as de-

veloped in seven successive eras, or periods, from apostolic

days to the end of time. The seven seals naturally suggest

a. line of prophecy covering the same general period, bring-

ing out additional phases of history. The series of the seven

churches gives a view of the church of Christ in the midst

of apostasy and through the experiences of the latter days.

This series of the seven seals gives a view of the falling

away, and the history of the apostate church in alliance

with the world, to the long years of papal supremacy. While

the sixth in the series of the seven churches brings us to the

advent movement of 1833-44, and to the generation that is

to see the coming of the Lord, the sixth seal in this series

slow to be studied, by an abrupt change from symbolic to

literal prophecy, deals with the signs of the second advent

and the scenes of the end. Thus there is a distinct parallel

in the idea of the approaching advent in the sixth stage of

each series, while the seventh in each touches eternity.

Questions

What occurred when the first seal was opened?

Rev. 6: 1.

What did the prophet see? Verse 2. Note 1.

What occurred when the second seal was opened?

Verse 3.



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

What followed? Verse 4, first clause.

What power was given to the rider of the red

horse? Verse 4. Note 2.

What followed the opening of the third seal?

Verse 5.

What was a voice heard to say? Verse 6. Note 3.

What did John hear when the fourth seal was

opened? Verse 7.

What did he then see? Verse 8, first part.

10.

What power was given the rider? Verse 8, last

part. Note 4.

11.

What did John see when the fifth seal was opened?

Verse 9.

12.

What were the souls represented as saying? Verse

10. Note 5.

13.

What was done in response to this call for justice?

Verse 11. Note 6.

Notes

The rider on the white horse, going forth to conquer,

fitly symbolizes the apostolic church going forth in the con-

quering power of Christ, with the gospel in its purity. See

Acts 8: 4. Compare Rev. 2: 2, 3, the message to the apostolic

church in the prophecy of the seven churches. In the study

of the messages to the seven churches, we found that, while

the principles involved in each message have lessons for

all time, the specifications applied particularly to distinct and

successive eras. So, while the symbolism of each of these

seals teaches lessons applicable in all time, they too have a

specific application to the same successive eras in the history

covered by the prophecy of the seven churches.

The symbols of the second seal fitly represent the fall-

ing away of the great body of the church from primitive

purity after apostolic days. "Errors began to arise, worldli-

ness came in. The ecclesiastical powers sought the alliance

of the secular. Troubles and commotions were the result."

See the reference to the apostate professors in this second

era of the church, in the message to the loyal ones in Rev.

2: 9. Worldliness and compromise and dependence on fleshly

power must ever work the same. Note that the principles in-

volved in each stage of the great controversy are living issues

for all time.

In the third era of the church, say from Constantine's

days (A. D. 323) to the full establishment of papal supremacy

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



(533-538), we found in the message to the third, or Perga-

mos, church, that the believers were in great peril because

of Satan's very seat in their midst. The church of the

apostasy had fully joined the world. Black is the fit symbol

of this stage. See Matt. 6: 23. As worldliness and com-

mercialism came in, the oil and wine of the Spirit's grace

leaked out. The price of a measure of wheat indicates

scarcity—a famine of the word of the Lord.

Compare this with the description of the apostate in-

fluences under which the loyal believers suffered in the

fourth, or Thyatira, stage of the seven churches. Rev. 2:

18-20. The apostate church is there described as the per-

secuting Jezebel, and the teachings as the doctrine of Satan.

In this fourth seal, the symbolism scarcely needs interpre-

tation, so vividly does it picture the dark days of papal

supremacy. "Hell" or "hades" (R. V.) means the grave.

See Dan. 7: 25 for a description of how this power sent the

saints of God to death and the grave.

Here the fifth seal plainly suggests the blood of the

martyrs and of the faithful of past ages crying out to God

to end the long reign of apostasy and sin. While the dead are

unconscious, the Bible represents the blood, or life, of those

wronged crying to God for justice to be rendered. Compare

Gen. 4: 10; Heb. 11: 4. When great Babylon is dealt with,

in her will be found the blood of all that have been slain upon



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

the earth; for the principles of apostasy have been the same

in all ages. Rev. 18: 24. Compare Matt. 23: 34, 35.

6. Just as truly as though they were speaking, God says

they are remembered, the white robes await them, but let

them rest till the suffering of God's people, yet to come, is

over, and all shall be rewarded together. God may yet be

glorified by the death of some who study this lesson.

Lesson 8—Latter-Day Signs and the

Sealing Work

AUGUST 24, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6: 12 to 7: 8.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Scenes under the sixth seal



gives. 1, 2

Monday ....The great day of God; the cry of the

wicked. Read "Story of the Seer of

Patmos," pages 119-120



tines. 3-0

Tuesday ...Events occurring under the sixth seal



Ques. 7, S

Wednesday . Angels holding the four winds of

earth. Read Id., pages 127-141



Ques. 9, 10

Thursday ..The seal of God



Ques. 11-14

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Home Circle," edition

of 1910,

pages 280-288.

Questions

What events announce the opening of the sixth

seal? Rev. 6: 12, 13.

When did these events occur? Note 1.

What did the prophet next see? Verse 14. Note 2.

Has this shaking as yet taken place? Where, then,

are we as regards this prophecy ?—Between verses 13

and 14.

What effect do these manifestations in nature have

upon man? Verses 15, 16.

What great truth do men now acknowledge?

Verse 17.

What follows the opening of the seventh seal?

Rev. 8: 1. Note 3.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



But before the events of the sixth seal are com-

pleted, what work must be done?—The sealing work

described in chapter 7. Note 4.

The Sealing Work

What was the first thing seen in this prophecy of

the sealing work? Rev. 7: 1. Note 5.

10.

What did the prophet next see? What command

did the angel give? Verses 2, 3.

11.

What is the seal of the living God? Note 6.

12.

Who is the divine Sealer? Eph. 1:13; 4:30.

Note 7.

13.

How is that seal impressed? Heb. 8: 10, second

part.

.14. How many are sealed? Rev. 7: 4-8.

Notes

The great earthquake, that of Lisbon, November 1,

1755, destroyed the city of Lisbon, then having 30,000 houses

and a population of 200,000. That mighty temblor reached

its fingers far into Africa, covered the continent of Europe,

and extended unknown distances at sea. Its area was "about

4,000 miles one way, and 2,000 the other; so that considering

its duration [it lasted two minutes], extent, and mischievous

effects, it seems to be one of the greatest calamities that has

befallen the world in almost any age." The sensitive seismo-

graphs of to-day would probably have recorded it as uni-

versal.

"The Dark Day" occurred May 19, 1780. Matt. 24: 29;

Mark 13: 24. "The whole moon" (A. R. V.), the full moon,

was darkened the following night. Whenever it appeared on

that memorable night, it had the color of blood.

The falling of the stars, the most notable meteoric shower

of history, occurred November 13, 1833.

The Greek word rendered "departed" means separated.

The atmospheric heavens separate and roll back. This will

be followed by the great shaking when God speaks. Joel

3 : 16.

The silence in heaven occurs when all the angels come

with our Lord to gather His children home. Matt. 16: 27;

25: 31. This shows that the prophecy of the seals reaches

to the end.

4: The sealing work comes within the sixth seal, but it

is not related till its close. Its chronological setting in the

main prophecy is between verses 13 and 14 of chapter 6, but



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

a view of this important work is not given till after the regu-

lar events of the sixth seal are noted. It is as if a traveler

were giving an account of his journey in various stages, and

after finishing a certain stage, goes back and relates an im-

portant event connected with that time.

The blowing of four winds of war would produce the

"whirlwind" of Jer. 25: 32, 33, and would involve the whole

earth. So at a time when it would certainly seem that such

would be the case, another angel cries to hold until God's

work is done. (See "Early Writings," pages 30, 31, old

edition; new edition, pages 38, 39.) "The Most High" rules,

and His work must be done.

The seal of "the• living God" carries with it the au-

thority of the living God, tells who He is, and the extent of

His dominion, and must be connected with His law. Of

that royal law, the Decalogue, four of its divisions tell us who

the Lawgiver is—"Jehovah thy God" (A. R. V.), the eter-

nally self-existent Deity. But there is only one—namely,

the fourth commandment—that tells who this great Jehovah

is, the basis of His authority, and the extent of His do-

minion,—the Maker of heaven and earth and all things

therein. The Sabbath is therefore the memorial of His

creative power (Ex. 20: 8-11), the memorial and sign of

creative power in' redeeming love (Deut. 5: 15), and the con-

stant living sign of the exercise of that same power in the

sanctification of His people forever (Ex. 31: 13; Ezek.

20: 12). When that power is grasped by faith, when God's

Sabbath is thus received, the character of God, the name of

God, is stamped upon His•child. He is sealed with God's

seal, labeled for eternity with the all-prevailing name. (See

Rev. 14: 1; 3: 12.) No one can thus receive the Sabbath

and not equally receive all God's commandments.

The Scripture is clear: the Sabbath is the seal; the

Holy Spirit is the Sealer, or the one who impresses the seal.

TEE G3EAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Lesson

9-The

Great Controversy

AUGUST 31, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12: 1-8.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ...."A great wonder in heaven"



Ques. 1-4

Monday ....The work of the great dragon



Ques.

Tuesday ...Birth of Jesus prophesied. Read

"Story of the Seer of Pat mos,"

pages 209-219



Ques.

Wednesday .Escape of the child: in the wilder-

ness 1,260 years



Ques. 11, 12

Thursday ..War in heaven: the combatants



Ques. 13, 14

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Home Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 264-267.

Questions

What appeared to the prophet in the vision of

Revelation 12? Verse 1, first part. Note 1.

What was the sign, or wonder? Verses 1, 2. Note 2.

What other prophecy refers to the bringing forth

of Zion's Deliverer? Micah 4: 9, 10; 5: 3. Note 3.

What other sign, or wonder, was seen? Rev. 12: 3.

Whom does this dragon represent? Verse 9. Note 4.

What is said of the dragon's work in the past?

Verse 4, first part. Note 5.

What is the dragon's attitude toward the woman?

Verse 4, last part. Note 6.

What event came to pass? Verse 5, first part.

Who is this Child? Ps. 2: 7-9. Note 7.

10.

How is the deliverance of the Child described?

Rev. 12: 5, last part. Note 8.

11.

What course was the woman afterwards compelled

to pursue? Verse 6.

12.

To what past event did the prophet refer? Verse

first clause.

13.

Who were the combatants? Verse 7. Note 9.

14.

What was the result to the dragon and his angels?

Verse 8. Note 10.



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Notes

"Wonder," better translated "sign," that which sig-

nifies, a token, or symbol.

"In heaven." It is in the spiritual realm that the great

controversy of the chapter is waged. So both the church

and her foes are by the apostle spoken of as in "the heavenly

places." See Eph. 2: 6; 6: 12, margin.

A pure woman in prophecy represents the true church.

"I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate

woman." Jer. 6: 2. "I have espoused you . . . as a chaste

virgin to Christ." 2 Cor. 11: 2. The woman seen in heaven,

upheld by the power of God, is therefore the symbol of the

people or church.

Jesus is the "Sun of righteousness." He clothes the

church in His glory. See Isa. 61: 10; Rev. 19: 8 ; Ps. 45: 13.

The sun fitly represents the glory of the new dispensation,

while "the moon under her feet" represents the sacrificial

system, which had borrowed its light from Christ, the "Sun

of righteousness," and had now passed away.

The "crown of twelve stars" would indicate victory, and

the number would naturally symbolize the twelve tribes, and

the twelve apostles, who at last rule over the twelve tribes.

See Matt. 19: 28; Rev. 21: 14.

The church of God came into outward organized ex-

istence at the Exodus. As long as they were faithful, they

prospered. The climax was reached in the days of Solomon.

Then came decline, added transgression, and greater de-

cline, till the throne, the city, the center of worship, were

destroyed, and the church with no king was taken captive

to Babylon. 2 Chron. 36: 14-21. Then began the travailing

for the Deliverer, the Man-child. Ps. 137: 1-4. "0 that the

salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!" Ps. 14: 7.

For about six centuries, the church was longing for her De-

liverer.

The dragon was seen "in heaven," indicating a spiritual

conflict. The color red is a symbol of war and bloodshed.

See the red horse of Rev. 6: 4. The meaning of the symbol

in this chapter is explained. The dragon is expressly called

"that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which de-

ceiveth the whole world." Here he is working through pagan

Rome to destroy the Deliverer. Rev. 12: 9.

The third part of the stars means the angels who re-

belled in Lucifer's rebellion in heaven. See Jude 6; 2 Peter

2: 4. Jesus met these fallen spirits in His ministry as un-

clean, malevolent demons. Their work, their warfare, lies

in the spiritual world. Satan is "prince of the power of

the air."

"Stood before the woman," waited through ail her

time of longing, waited through the reign of Babylon, of

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



Medo-Persia, of Greece. He sought to slay the royal seed and

the church through Babylon; through Medo-Persia, by

Haman; through Greece, by Antiochus Epiphanes; through

pagan Rome, by Herod and Pilate, under the reign of the

former of whom Jesus was born, and under the latter He

died. Knowing that the Son of God whom he hated in

heaven would come in the likeness of sinful flesh, the devil

resolved to destroy the race, the universe, at one fell blow,

by destroying the One who had undertaken the vindication

of God's character of love and the salvation of sinners. He

read the promises to the seed through Abraham, Isaac, Ja-

cob, Judah, David, and their seed.

7. The 'Child is born in lowly Bethlehem, according to the

very prophecy which predicted Zion's travail. Micah 5: 2.

We can trace Satan's planning in the full inn, that the

mother might be exposed in the cold, open night; in the

jealousy of Herod when he slays the children, calculating to

destroy the infant Redeemer. The devil plotted destruction

of His character, plotted the destruction of His life, and

finally, through the power of pagan Rome, accomplished it

under Pilate, a Roman governor, on a Roman cross, and

shut Him in a rock sepulcher under a Roman seal.

' 8. Jesus was caught up to God and to His throne in His

resurrection from the dead.

The combatants show that this warfare which began

in heaven above was now continuing in "heavenly places"

(that is, the spiritual realm). "Michael" means, "who is •

like God." Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4: 16; John 5: 28, 39; Dan. 12: 1,

show this Archangel to be identical with the Son of God

among the angels, even as He was Jesus the Son of God

among men. And this conflict was waged from the time of

sin's entrance till "the Word became flesh."

10.

"Prevailed not." Thank God that in all the conflicts,

the devil and demons "prevailed not." Righteousness was

stronger than sin; love stronger than hate; truth stronger

than a lie; right stronger than might. God was vindicated

by His Son every step of the way.

- "Neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Until that mighty demonstration of God's justice and wis-

dom and lovethe crucifixion—even the angels of God were

on probation, perplexed over Satan's charges, yet loyal to

the Master. They did not, could not understand what it all

meant. Until the great question was settled, God in some

way had allowed the fallen ,angels certain privileges of ap-

proach that were not now to be longer granted. Job 1: 6.

When the vindictive hate of the devil and his angels com-

passed the death of Infinite Love, and when, by the power

of an endless life, Jesus had triumphed over death, all the

powers of darkness were cast down yet again.



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Lesson 10—Persecution of the Dragon

SEPTEMBER 7, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12: 9-17.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Rend "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....Results of the war in heaven; a won-

derful triumph



Ques. 1-4

Monday ....Overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

Read "Story of the Seer of Patmos,"

pages

219

223



Ques. 5,

Tuesday ...Cause for rejoicing in heaven; woe

to the earth



Ques. 7, S

Wednesdny.A period of persecution; "The earth

helped the woman"



Ques. 9-12

Thursday "Manifestation of satanic wrath; char-

acteristics of the remnant



Ques. 13,

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Rome Circle," edition

1916, pages 264-267.

Questions

What was the result of the struggle between Mi-

chael and the dragon? Rev. 12: 9.

What did the prophet hear in heaven? Verse 10,

first clause. Note 1.

What four things did the voice say had come?

Verse 10, second part. Note 2.

Who was cast down by the struggle? Verse 10,

last part. Note 3.

By what two potent yet simple things do God's

children overcome? Verse 11, first part.

What spirit possessed them? Verse 11, last part.

Compare John 12: 24, 25.

Who were called upon to rejoice? Verse 12; last

part of verse 10. Note 4.

Upon whom is woe pronounced? Why? Verse

12, last part. Note 5.

What did the dragon do when he realized his de-

feat? Verse 13. Note



•

10.

How was the woman preserved? How long is she

nourished? Verse 14. Note 7.

11.

What did the dragon, or serpent, then do? Verse

15. Note 8.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



12.

How was the woman helped? Verse 16. Note 9.

13.

What further manifestation was there of satanic

wrath? Verse 17, first part.

14.

What are the characteristics of the remnant of

the seed of the woman? Verse 17.

Notes

"A great voice." The message is more important than

the messenger. It may have been Gabriel's voice, or a voice

from the elders, but that matters not to us; it gave a great

message. The mighty John the Baptist was content to be

"a voice" for God "crying in the wilderness."

"Now" was the

NOW

for which ages had waited.

At this time, the hosts of evil were hurled against Christ with

all their cruel, baleful, deceptive devices, that God's charac-

ter might be marred, and that He might fail. But He did

not fail. Forward He pressed to the very cross of Calvary,

ever revealing the Father, and vindicating the truth of His

promise and precept, triumphant even in death. For that

"NOW" the universe had waited.

"NOW is come salvation;" it is eternally assured—the

immutable promise and oath to Abraham (Heb. 6: 17, 18),

by the life and death and resurrection of our Lord. He

"was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

But in worse case than any follower can be called to meet,

He met and conquered. He can help all, save all, and in

all who receive Him, conquer all. Heb. 2: 18; 7: 25. He

won eternal salvation.

"And strength." His power of righteousness is resur-

rection power. "In the way of righteousness is life." His

resurrection demonstrated Him to be the Son of God with

power. Rom. 1: 3, 4. That is the power which comes to

us by faith in Jesus. Eph. 1: 19-23.

"And the kingdom." It is assured, for the King has con-

quered supremely. When He triumphed over death, then

was sung the song of triumph in Ps. 24: 7-9. The King was

ready. He waits till His subjects are gathered, then will He

claim His own.

"And the power of His Christ." Authority succeeds

power. Earthly rulers often claim authority without power.

Authority—power—did not come to Jesus till He visibly

merited it. Not till after His resurrection did He say, "All

power [authority] is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."

Salvation, power, kingdom, authority, are ours, in Him.

The accuser met Jesus on the mount of temptation;

in men and women, sinful and diseased; in demon-possessed

souls; in ambitious, worldly men; in the Garden of Geth-

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

semane; in his hellish hate on the cross of Calvary. Yet

Jesus conquered; the accuser was cast down. No more

would he enter the assembly of the sons of God (Job 1: 6),

there to accuse God of partiality, or God's children of selfish-

ness. He is cast down; his eternal defeat is manifested

openly to all the universe.

The heavens may well rejoice; for no more will there

be an accuser at heaven's gates, to attribute false motives

to God's servants.

Woe to the earth; the devil is here. He could not

conquer the heavenly King; he will strive against that King's

earthly subjects. Desperate, failing in his great attack, he

will do all in his power to destroy others. Take home to

heart the warning, and know that the power to conquer

awaits you in Jesus.

Note that in this chapter, the dragon, the devil, is

the primal persecutor, because he is the deceiver. It will

give us more charity for his human tools and agents and

dupes if we will appreciate his evil lordship. As far as we

have influence, we should labor to save them from the snares

of his evil principles and devices.

The church militant is still left to struggle against the

mighty foe, to fail if she forgets her Lord, to triumph if her

faith abides in Him. The persecutions began immediately,

but reached their worst under the long papal period of per-

secution; but behind both pagan and papal was the devil.

The period referred to in Rev. 12: 6, 14 is the 1,260

years of papal supremacy.

"Water as a flood" fitly represents the armies sent to

destroy the faithful followers of Christ.

In mountain fastnesses, believers found refuge; and

finally the very nations of earth revolted against the perse-

cutions. France, "the eldest daughter of the church,' was

in the throes of revolution and infidelity. Austria, a strong

Catholic country, through her empress, Maria Theresa, issued

a modified decree of toleration in 1776; and in the New World,

a haven of refuge opened for those oppressed for conscience'

sake.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



Lesson 11—The Beast and Its Character

SEPTEMBER 14, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 13: 1-10.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ....1 prophetic symbol



Ones. 1,2

Monday ....Characteristic features of the beast;

his seat, power, and great author-

ity



Ques. 3-7

Tuesday ...Healing of the deadly wound; won-

dering after the beast



Ones. 8-11

Wednesday allasphemous

power; making war

with the saints



Ques. 12-15

Thursday ..A solemn call for attention. Read

"story

of the Seer of Patmos,"

pages

224-233



Ques. 16-18

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Home Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 268-270.

Questions

From what viewpoint was this vision seen? Rev.

13: 1, first part. Note 1.

What did the prophet see? Verse 1, second part.

What were the beast's characteristic features?

Verse 1, third part. Note 2.

What was he like? Verse 2, first part. Note 3.

From whom did the beast receive authority?

Verse 2, last part. Note 4.

What occurred to one of its heads? Verse 3, first

part.

What eventually took place? Verse 3, second part.

What did the healing cause? Verse 3, last part.

Note 5.

What followed the wondering after the beast?

Verse 4.

10.

What was given to the beast? Verse 5, first part.

11.

What was there given power, or authority, to do?

Verse 5, last part. Note 6.

12.

Of what blasphemies was the beast guilty? Verse

6. Note 7.

13.

What was power given it to make? Verse 7, first

_part. Note 8.

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SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

14.

How far would his authority extend? Verse 7,

last part.

15.

How extensive will be his worship? Verse 8.

16.

What solemn call for attention is made? Verse 9.

17.

What is said of the end of this phase of the beast's

career? Verse 10, first part. Note 9.

18.

What is said of God's people at this time? Verse

10, last part. Note 10.

Notes

The sea here, as in Dan. 7: 1, 2, refers to "peoples, and

multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Rev. 17: 15. Like the

beasts mentioned by Daniel (Dan. 7:2, 3), this also arises

out of the sea, denoting an organization among the nations.

The seven heads and the ten horns connect this beast

with the dragon. That the beast is religious is shown by

the names of blasphemy. One of the definitions of blasphemy

is, claiming the attributes of God.

The "leopard," Grecia; the "bear," Medo-Persia; the

"lion," Babylon; the "ten horns," Rome ..(Dan. 7: 3-7), show

this beast of our lesson to be the composite of all four of

Daniel. Daniel sees them as four distinct, successive em-

pires. John sees them as one great system, culminating in

Rome papal, represented in Daniel's vision by the little horn

of chapter 7. Note the parallels between the first beast of

Revelation 13 and the little horn power. (Compare Rev.

13: 2, 5, 6, 7, 10 and Dan. 7: 8, 20, 21, 25, 26.) It must not

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



be ignored that the mouth of the beast was the mouth of

the lion, the symbol of Babylon. It is the mouth that

speaks; and the utterances of the beast, so far as God or

His people are concerned, all had their origin in the world-

wide apostasy of Babylon. The beast is primarily a Baby-

lonian beast; and the system for which the beast stands is

Babylonian in origin and character, rebellious, perversive, op-

pressive, assumptive, and blasphemous.

The dragon, remember, is "that old serpent, called the

devil, and Satan." Rev. 12: 9. He has been back of the

whole Babylonian beast system. In fact, Lucifer is the

primal king of Babylon. See Isa. 14: 4, 12-14. He has

molded and used all the various forms under which that

system has existed from Babylon down. When Babylon

passed away, Medo-Persia succeeded, then Greece, then Rome;

and the old religious mysteries,—perversive, oppressive, as-

sumptive, and blasphemous,—were manifest in them all. It

was through Rome pagan that Rome papal succeeded to

empire.

In the events of the French Revolution, the papacy

received a deadly wound. The healing of that deadly

wound has been going on rapidly in our times. When it

is fully healed, we shall see the world admiring, won-

dering, worshiping; and to worship the agent is to wor-

ship the principal.

"Forty and two months," "a thousand two hundred

and threescore days," "time, and times, and half a time,"

are all the same period, and at thirty days to the month,

the Bible reckoning (compare Gen. 7: 11; 8: 5 with Gen.

7: 24; 8:4), make 1,260 days. A day in prophecy sym-

bolizes a year (Ezek. 4: 4, 6), making 1,260 years for

the domination of the papal head. This period is re-

peated again and again in Scripture, which shows its im-

portance. The supremacy began in that eventful period

533-538, and ended in an equally important period, 1793-

1798. Justinian, emperor of -Rome, decreed that the

bishop of Rome should be "head over all the holy

churches," and "true and only corrector of heretics," in

533; and the victory over the Arian Ostrogoths in 538

cleared the way before the papacy. At the end came the

French Revolution in 1793, and the capture of Pope Pius

VI in 1798. The power of the papacy to define heresy and

punish heretics was broken. These were the days of papal

supremacy, or spiritual domination.

The papacy declares that its priests have power_ to

absolve from sin, to change the wafer into the real hod?

and blood of Christ, to change the times and law of God.

(Dan. 7: 25.)



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Surely the papacy has made war with the saints,

whom she denominated pernicious heretics. She does not

deny the punishment of heretics. She holds that they are

the enemies of both church and state, and therefore ought

to be punished with death if need be.

The one who took many captive was taken captive.

The beast that slew by the sword was itself slain by the

separation of the two essential elements, church and state,

which made it what it was. Our lesson leaves us at the

end of the 1,260 years, with the papal supremacy broken.

10.

Note the difference between God's people here and

in the days preceding Christ's coming. Here they are

called saints, and have patience and faith. Many things

were hidden from them. In the end (Rev. 14 : 12) , they

have patience and faith, and keep the commandments

of God.

Lesson 12—A Latter-Day Persecutor

SEPTEMBER 21, 1918

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 13: 11-18.

DAILY STUDY OUTLINE

Sabbath ...Read "Daniel and the Revelation," on

the lesson scripture.

Sunday ...."Another beast;" characteristics



Ques. 1, 2

Monday ....Use of his wonder-working power



Ques. 3-6

Tuesday ...Extent of his power and authority. Ques. 7,

Wednesday .An act of oppression



Ques. 9,16

Thursday ..Special wisdom; the number of the

beast. Read "Story of the Seer of

Patmos," pages 235-245



Ques. 11-13

Friday



Review the lesson. See "Bible Read-

ings for the Rome Circle," edition

of 1916, pages 271-270.

Questions

As the ten-horned beast went into captivity, what

did John see? Rev. 13: 11, first part. Note 1.

What were his characteristics? Verse 11, second

part. Note 2.

What authority did he exercise? Verse 12, first

part. Note 3.

- 4. How did he exercise this authority? Verse 12,

second part,. Note 4.

5. What great things does he do? Verse 13. Note 5.

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



For what does he use this wonder-working power?

Verse 14, first part.

What does he say to the dwellers on the earth?

Verse 14, last part. Note 6.

What had he authority to do, and to what extent?

Verse 15.

What does he cause all to receive? Verse 16.

Note 7.

10.

What act of oppression does he institute as , a

penalty? Verse 17.

11.

What is called for? Verse 18, first part.

12.

What is it the privilege of the man of understand-

ing to do? Verse 18, second part.

13.

What is the number of the beast? Verse 18, third

part. Note 8.

Notes

Note first that the prophet saw not the same beast,

or a part of the same, nor a beast on the same territory,

but "another beast," in another territory, "the earth."

The first came up from the sea, waters being the symbol

of multitudes and nations (Rev. 17: 15). The second, "an-

other beast," was seen coming "out of the earth," a new ter-

ritory in the prophetic field. The prophecy indicates the

time

of its arising, when the other beast was going into cap-

tivity, in the days of 1792-1798; the

place

is new territory

in the prophecy, a practically uninhabited land; the

manner

of his "coming up'

indicates a growing up, peaceably, as a

plant grows. There was no power of prominence rising in

the world at that time save the United States of America.

G. A. Townsend, in "New World Compared with the Old,"

page 462, speaks of America as "coming forth from vacancy;"

and on page 635, referring to America, he says, "Like a

silent seed it grew into an empire."

"Two horns like a lamb." This is eminently repre-

sentative of two fundamental principles upon which the new

republic was founded. These principles are, first, the equality

of man; second, freedom of conscience in religion, to choose

or to refuse. These principles are in Christianity alone of

all religions, and were set forth in those times in the organic

documents of the United States alone of all governments.

Therefore the prophecy points to the United States alone, as

coming up at the specified time and bearing the specified

characteristics.

To speak as a dragon is to enact oppressive, pefsecuting

laws, as the dragon did. Rev. 12: 13, 15. This is an after



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

development. The power was to belie its high profession and

to become a persecutor.

Not "before him" in the sense of time, but "in his

sight," "in his presence." That is, the two-horned beast

exercises in his own domain all the authority that the first

beast did and does in his domain.

As the first beast compelled the worship of the dragon

by enforcing his principles, so the two-horned beast causes

the worship of the first beast by enforcing the principles of

that beast. Note also that it is the restored first beast, for

his "deadly wound was healed."

Modern spiritualism had its rise in the western re-

public. By this deception, the devil works and will work

in the last days "with all power and signs and lying won-

ders." 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. Under this government will be

counterfeited Elijah's great miracle of bringing down fire

out of heaven. See 1 Kings 18: 36-39. Men have witnessed

some of these wonders. More will be seen. All these are

wrought to deceive.

The first beast, the papacy, in the fullness of its power,

is an ecclesiastical organization bringing the power of the

state to the enforcement of religious observances. An image,

or likeness of this must be the use of civil power for en-

forcement of religious observances under religious organiza-

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY



tions, not organically of the papacy itself, working in har-

mony with papal principles.

The mark of the beast must be the distinguishing

characteristic of the beast and his worshipers, and that which

will distinguish them from the worshipers of God. God's

mark, or seal, is His holy Sabbath, the seventh day. See

lesson 8. The mark, therefore, must be the false sabbath,

which the apostasy has substituted for the Sabbath of the

Lord. Says the Kansas City

Catholic

of February 9, 1873,

"The Catholic Church of its own infallible authority created

Sunday a holy day to take the place of the Sabbath of the

old law." "Abridgment of Christian Doctrine," a Catholic

work, says:

"Question.—liow

prove you that the church hath

power to command feasts and holy days?

Answer.—By

the

very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protes-

tants allow of." Various organizations and societies, like the

American Sabbath Union, the National Reform Association,

the Federal Council of Churches, and others, have sought for

years to secure laws enforcing the national observance of

Sunday as a test of religious life. Read these characteristic

utterances: "It [Sunday] is the

test

of all religions."—Dr.

W. W. Evarts. "When the people through their representa-

tives legalize the first day of the week as a day of rest and

worship for those who choose to observe it, it is the sign of

a Christian nation."—Christian

Oracle,

January 12, 1903.

The Rev. J. G. Lorimer calls "Sunday a mark of the

American religion."

There is a multitude of evidences which clearly indicate

that the nation will fulfill the prophecy and enforce the mark

under penalty of the boycott applied on religious test.

"Six hundred threescore and six." The bishop of

Rome claims to be the vicar of the Son of God—in Latin,

the language of the Roman Church,

Vicarius Filii Dei.

Five

of these letters in the Roman notation have numerical values

—I, V, L, C, D; and the sum of their use is as follows: V--=5,

C=100, 1=1, U (same as V)=

5, 1=-1, L=50, 1=1,

1=1, D=-

500, 1=

1: total, 666.

Lesson 13—A Review of Revelation,

Chapters

7 ; 12 ;

13.

SEPTEMBER 28, 1918

Chapter 1:

How was the Revelation given?

What great

name

gives the scope of the book?

Verse 8.



SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY

Chapters 2 and 3:

Into how many phases of history and experience

is the church life of the Christian era divided? What

are they?

What is the approximate period covered by each?

What is the special exhortation for the church of

the judgment hour?

Chapters

1 to 7: 8:

How wide interest was taken in the opening of the

sealed book?

What did the breaking of each seal disclose?

At what point in the sixth chapter are we now

living?

What is the special work for our time?

How is the way still held open for this work to

be done?

Chapter 12:

Who are the two great opposing characters in the

controversy of chapter 12?

Who is the victor in the conflict?

Who are represented by Michael? By the dragon?

By the woman? .

Who is behind all the persecutions of this world?

Chapter 13:

By what symbol is the Old World church-and-

state history depicted?

Give three reasons why the two-horned beast could

not be another phase of the first beast.

What must be an essential of the image to the

beast?

What is the mark of the beast?—Sunday

enforced

by law as a substitute for the Lord's Sabbath.

What is God's mark?—The

Sabbath of the Lord.